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Friday, July 18, 2014

Vatican City, 18 July 2014 (VIS) –
“Towards a genuine fraternity between Christians and Muslims” is
the title of the message sent by the Pontifical Council for
Interreligious Dialogue to mark the end of Ramadan ('Id al-Fitr
1435/2014 A.D.). The document is signed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran
and Fr. Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot M.C.C.J., respectively president
and secretary of the dicastery.

“Last year, the first year of his
ministry, Pope Francis personally signed the Message addressed to you
on the occasion of ‘Id al-Fitr. On another occasion, he also called
you 'our brothers and sisters' (Angelus, 11 August 2013). We all can
recognize the full significance of these words. In fact, Christians
and Muslims are brothers and sisters in the one human family, created
by the One God”.

The message goes on to recall the words
of Saint John Paul II to Muslim religious leaders in Nigeria in 1982:
“All of us, Christians and Muslims, live under the sun of the one
merciful God. We both believe in one God who is the creator of man.
We acclaim God's sovereignty and we defend man's dignity as God's
servant. We adore God and profess total submission to him. Thus, in a
true sense, we can call one another brothers and sisters in faith in
the one God”.

“We thank the Almighty for what we
have in common, while remaining aware of our differences”, the
message continues. “We perceive the importance of promoting a
fruitful dialogue built upon mutual respect and friendship. Inspired
by our shared values and strengthened by our sentiments of genuine
fraternity, we are called to work together for justice, peace and
respect for the rights and dignity of every person. We feel
responsible in a particular way for those most in need: the poor, the
sick, orphans, immigrants, victims of human trafficking, and those
suffering from any kind of addiction”.

“As we know, our contemporary world
faces grave challenges which call for solidarity on the part of all
people of good will. These include threats to the environment, the
crisis of the global economy and high levels of unemployment
particularly among young people. Such situations give rise to a sense
of vulnerability and a lack of hope for the future. Let us also not
forget the problems faced by so many families which have been
separated, leaving behind loved ones and often small children. Let us
work together, then, to build bridges of peace and promote
reconciliation especially in areas where Muslims and Christians
together suffer the horror of war”.

The document concludes by expressing
the hope that our friendship may “inspire us always to cooperate in
facing these many challenges with wisdom and prudence. In this way we
will help to diminish tension and conflict, and advance the common
good. We will also demonstrate that religions can be a source of
harmony for the benefit of society as a whole. Let us pray that
reconciliation, justice, peace and development will remain uppermost
among our priorities, for the welfare and good of the whole human
family. Together with Pope Francis, we are happy to send you our
cordial best wishes for a joyful celebration and a life of prosperity
in peace”.